After the Flood

[tectak]

Edit 2.00 milo.christophersea

He kicks beneath the paling crust
to where the sun has failed the earth
and flocculation turned the juice
into a suffocant for seed,
that quenched the animating fuse.
The flood has gone; to heal the land
he scarifies the earth again
and turns the rotting germ to light.
Time walks beside the new-sown grain
and promises each dormant husk
another chance...
provided there is rain.


original
He kicks beneath the paling crust
to where the sun has failed the earth
and flocculation turned the juice
into a suffocant for seed,
and quenched the fuse of life.
The flood has gone; upon bare land
he scarifies the earth again
and turns the rotting germ to light.
Time walks beside the new sown grain
and promises each dormant husk
another chance.
Provided there is rain.

Tectak
Spring 2013

Apologies to all but I have determined that "suffocant" is probably the wrong word. I am leaving it in italics but will need to find a better choice! Genuine error on my part. I was sure I had heard that some gases and liquids were classed as "suffocants" but I can find no proof of this. Any help gratefully considered.
Best,
tectak